Rainfall in northern parts of India has reached alarming levels since the last few days. Bihar has been facing heavy rainfall and the water from the two major rivers has risen well above the danger level. The river Ganga in Patna has already crossed the warning mark which is 47.6 meters. The level of river Ganga was measured to be 49.63 meters around 10:00 P.M. on September 30, 2019. Due to this drastic increase in the level of water in the Ganges, and due to continuous rainfall over the weekend, the capital city has been grappling with a heavy flood situation.
Major Challenges Faced By Patna And “Nature’s Fury”
Nearly 80% of areas in Patna have been badly affected due to this flood. So many people have been rendered helpless as their daily lifestyle and access to essential living needs have been badly affected. The government, who is supposed to help their own state, was inactive for a long time. When reports on the situation started trending across social media, then, various media agencies reached out to the government. But, the state government called it “Nature’s Fury” and made excuses rather than take action. The drainage system in the city was never improved, even after a repeat of this incident over the past few years. No measurable steps were taken on time. And now, when the time came, the government tried to excuse themselves by calling it Nature’s Fury. There was zero-level of preparedness and planning to handle situations like this!
However, we cannot say it that it’s something new to happen in the state, because, situated in the northern part of the country, it is not only affected by major rivers like the Gandak, Kosi, and Ganga, but it is also affected by the water coming from Nepal and Uttar Pradesh. So the incidents are not new to the state, but still, there was no kind of preparedness from the government’s side. Neither the drainage system was improved, nor they had created any well-defined plans to handle such situations.
Patna’s Youth Doing Their Best To Help Flood-Affected People
The situation is Patna is just like the 1975 flood. The situation was well described in the state by Phanishwar Nath Renu’s story. The situation in Patna is no less alarming than the 1975 flood. The government seems to remain almost silent in the face of this tough challenge, and looks rather frozen and disappeared.
However, the youth in Patna have taken this challenge to help the flood victims. They are several initiatives being run to help flood victims. From helping provide shelter to food and milk, the youth are doing their best, which was expected from the government. However, the government seems to remain silent on the work happening on the ground.
The Current Scenario In Patna
The students are already making their best efforts to help people affected by the flood get essential goods. Bihar’s NDRF and SDRF team are also facing tough challenges while rescuing people. They are constantly moving with their boats around the affected areas in the best possible way. It looks better when everyone comes together to handle tough challenges.
Recently, Ravi Shankar Prasad returned from his Rajasthan visit and started taking immediate steps to help the state. Two helicopters have been especially called to help people from affected areas by supplying essential items like food and candles. Electricity has also been disconnected in heavily-affected areas, but the student teams and NDRF and SDRF are working together to reach as many people as possible. Everyone is actively trying their best, but if preventive steps would have been taken in time, then this issue would have never reached a phase like this!